Gun bore cleaning implement

ABSTRACT

A rod tip member for use in gun bore cleaning and the like in which the tip is comprised of a tubular body member of such split construction as to be inherently resilient and formed with an external bulbous portion for wiping contact with a bore wall. A pin is seated at one end within the body member and projects axially thereof at its other end for penetration of reduced diameters and for cooperative engagement with a cleaning patch.

United States Patent 1 Lavins 51 Feb.20, 1973 1 GUN BORE CLEANING IMPLEMENT [76] Inventor: Ramon E. Lavlns, 220 East Beechwood Avenue, Dayton, Ohio [22] Filed: March 29, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 128,806

[52] US. Cl ..15/l04.l6 [51] Int. Cl. ..F41f 17/14 [58] Field of Search ..15/104.l6, 104.165,104.18, 15/212, 211

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 690,393 1/1902 Bishop ..15/104.l65 1,525,933 2/1925 I-laigh.... ...15/104.165 1,610,649 12/1926 Bair ..15/104.165

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 695,927 9/1940 Germany 104.165]

Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts AttorneyJerome P. Bloom [57] ABSTRACT A rod tip member for use in gun bore cleaning and the like in which the tip is comprised of a tubular body member of such split construction as to be inherently resilient and formed with an external bulbous portion for wiping contact with a bore wall. A pin is seated at one end within the body member and projects axially thereof at its other end for penetration of reduced diameters and for cooperative engagement with a cleaning patch.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED E -2 5 3716.88

INVENTOR RAMON E. LAVINS nrronusr GUN BORE CLEANING IMPLEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to gun bore and like cleaning devices and particularly to unitary devices adapted to 5 Devices for cleaning gun bores frequently are of a makeshift nature and hence of limited utility. Where they exist in a commercially available form, they are comprised of multiple parts, are deficient in efficiency or are otherwise lacking in desirable qualities. For example, in the cleaning of shotgun bores it is desirable that the swab or cleaning device be capable of cleaning the entire barrel including any choke which may be interposed as a part thereof. This requires that the cleaning device have the ability to compress to reducing diameters and yet embody an inherent ability of expansion whereby in varying degrees of compression the device will maintain a wiping contact with the bore wall. Also, at least a portion of the device should be adapted to penetrate and clean the choke area.

Further, since a cleaning of a gun bore involves advancing and retracting strokes within the bore, it is desirable that the wiping cloth or cleaning patch dispose itself over the device to make thorough contact with the wall and yet be held relatively securely for withdrawal with the device during the retracting stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a tip member embodying means by which it may be detachably mounted to a rod for reciprocation in a gun bore or the like. The member is generally tubular in configuration. One end is closed and incorporates means for attachment to a rod as an extension thereof. Toward its other end, the member is of a split construction, defining a circumferential series of inherently resilient fingers. Curved protuberances on the split fingers cooperate in the defining of an external bulbous portion, cylindrical in cross section and continuously curved in a longitudinal sense. A pin is coaxially disposed within the tubular member to be a part thereof. An inner end of the pin has a fixed mounting in the closed end of the tubular member. At its outer end the pin extends to and beyond the other or outer end of the tubular member. The outer pin end is pointed and may include barbed means for more effective penetration of an engagement with a cleaning cloth or patch. The latter overlays at least the outer end of the tip member, including the external bulbous portion thereof. In use, the tip member is thrust into and through a gun bore or the like. The split fingers compress, as required, to adapt the bulbous portion to the bore diameter and at the same time exert a radially outward pressure assuring thorough frictional contact of such portion, through the overlying cleaning cloth, with the bore wall. A feature of the invention lies in the inherent capability of the tip member to adapt to a changing bore diameter, as encountered for example in a choke equipped shotgun. According to another feature, the projecting pin facilitates interengagement of the tip member with the cleaning patch and may provide a positive means to withdraw the patch upon a retracting stroke of the tip member. The pin serves, in

addition, as a leading, small diameter projection equipped to penetrate and clean encountered passageways of small diameter.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a gun bore cleaning device, particularly advantageous for cleaning the bore of a shotgun, which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a generally new bore cleaner, especially adapted for use as a replaceable rod tip member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bore cleaning device forming a unitary assembly of a tubular body and patch engaging pin.

A further object of the invention is to provide a body component in a bore cleaning device incorporating self adjusting resilient fingers rendering the device particularly suitable for cleaning choke equipped shotgun bores.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bore cleaning device of simple, inexpensive construction in which at least the body component may be made of a molded plastic or the like.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a gun bore cleaning device possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of use herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a rod tip member in accordance with a first illustrated embodiment of the invention, parts being shown in an exploded disposition and partly in section;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a rod tip member in accordance with a first illustrated form of the invention comprises a tubular body 10 made of metal or any other suitable material but which in accordanee with a feature of the invention lends itself to relatively inexpensive production as a molded plastic article. A relatively wide and deep bore 1 1 opens at one end through what may be considered an outer end 12 of the body. The other end of the bore 11 terminates within the body 10 near what may be considered the opposite or inner end 13 thereof. A wall 14 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body member accordingly is formed at and adjacent to inner end 13. Formed integrally with the inner end of the body 10 is a cylindrical, axial projection 15 which is externally threaded. A rod 16 is adapted to make a threaded connection with cylindrical projection 15, whereby to constitute body as a tip member or extension of the rod.

Outwardly of wall 14, the body 10 is split by three circumferentially spaced apart slots 17. The slots 17 are longitudinally directed and open through the outer end 12 of the body. Base ends of the slots are located in a common transverse plane near but longitudinally spaced from the wall 14. From such base portions, opposing sides of the slots extend in a gradual divergent manner toa location of maximum separation at the outer end 12. The several slots define a circumferentially spaced apart series of fingers 18 which by reason of the construction of the body and of the material of which it is made, are capable of flexing relatively to wall 14. Thus, the outer end of the body 10 has a capability of compression, whereby the several fingers 18 move in a relatively approaching sense with the fingers tending resiliently to restore themselves to a normal separated position as indicated.

At and adjacent to the outer end 12 thereof, the body 10 is formed with an external enlargement or bulbous portion 19. The portion 19 is comprised of complementary segments on each of the split fingers 18 and presents, in effect, a continuously curved surface. Thus, in a circumferential sense portion 19 is cylindrical while in a longitudinal or fore and aft sense the outer surface describes a continuous curve. The arrangement is in effect to provide at the outer end of the tubular body 10 a truncated sphere, self-adjusting in diameter by virtue of the flexure permitted of the split fingers 18.

Centered in the bottom of bore 11 and extending through wall 14 substantially into projection 15, is a smaller diameter bore 21. The bore 21 serves a purpose in mounting a pin 22 carried within body 10 to project coaxially thereof through and beyond the outer end 12. Intermediate its ends, the pin 22 is comprised of an elongate cylindrical portion 23. At what may be considered its inner end, portion 23 terminates in a reduced diameter stud portion 24 connected to intermediate portion 23 by a shoulder 25. At its opposite, or what may be considered its outer end, intermediate portion 23 terminates in a reduced diameter projecting portion 26. The latter connects to intermediate portion 23 by a gradually reducing section 27 and at its extremity is pointed. Adjacent the pointed extremity, end extension 26 is barbed, as by the formation of a flange 28 which on one side slopes toward the pointed extremity and which on the other side presents a sharp edged surface perpendicular to the pin axis.

In the assembly of the device, the pin 22 is inserted longitudinally through bore 11 and stud portion 24 is inserted into small diameter bore 21 where it has a relatively long bearing, positioning the pin substantially coaxially of the tubular body. For purposes of a secure assembly, stud portion 24 may be press fit into the bore 21, with shoulder 25 seating against the bottom of bore 11. Other modes of assembly are possible, as for example cementing of the stud 24 in bore 21 or the making of bore 21 into a tapped recess whereby stud 24 would be externally threaded in a complementary manner and have a screw fit connection in the wall 14.

Fully installed, the pin 22 has a fixed position in the body 10 and end extension 26 thereof projects coaxially of the body beyond outer end 12. In use, the assembled device is mounted as a detachable, replaceable tip upon an end of a rod 16. The truncated spherical end portion 19 of the body 10 normally assumes a diameter corresponding to or slightly exceeding the maximum diameter of a bore in connection with which it is intended for use. In cleaning a shotgun bore, for example, a diameter is selected preferably to slightly exceed the diameter of the gun barrel. The device is thrust into the gun barrel, as from the breech end thereof, with the split fingers 18 yielding as may be required to accommodate bulbous portion 19 within the barrel. A spring action of the fingers 18, as they attempt to restore themselves to a normally separated relation, presses the several segments comprising portion 19 radially outwardly, insuring a thorough, uniform wiping contact with the 'gun bore wall. A wiping cloth or cleaning patch is under ordinary circumstances placed over the outer or leading end of the tubular body so that the applied cleaning surface may be more readily renewed and treated. The end extension 26 of pin 22 acts as a nose portion upon which the wiping cloth may be centered to produce a substantially tented configuration of the cloth as it extends from the pointed extremity of the end extension to and over the surface of bulbous portion 19. The pointed extremity of the end extension 26 is adapted to or may penetrate the material of the wiping cloth and particularly in conjunction with barbed flange 28 provide a means of good cooperative engagement with the cloth facilitating its retraction within and from the gun barrel. A cleaning operation consists of one or more reciprocable strokes of the tip member. Thus, upon entering the breech end of a shotgun bore, for example, the device is thrust longitudinally therein and such motion may be continued to push the device completely through the entire barrel before it is moved in an opposite or retracting stroke. In the event the shotgun barrel has interposed therein or incorporates a choke means, the tubular member 10 is self-adjusting with respect thereto so that this area may be cleaned simultaneously with and as a part of the same reciprocable strokes cleaning the gun barrel proper. The pin 22 serves a function in positioning a wiping cloth relative to the tip member and in achieving an interengagement therewith assuring that the wiping cloth will not be lost in the barrel during the retraction stroke. It will be further noted, however, that the spring action of the fingers 18, in pressing against the wall of the bore, assist also in retaining the wiping cloth in position on the tip member. The gripping action achieved can be supplemented, if desired, by roughing the surface of bulbous portion 19 or that intermediate portion thereof directly involved in pressing the wiping cloth against the gun bore wall. It is obvious, moreover, that the projecting end of pin 22 may serve also as entrant means since it is capable of penetrating small diameter passages that might not be accessible to the bulbous portion 19 and has a utility in opening and cleaning such small diameter passages. The tented configuration of the wiping cloth thereover produces an inclining cleaning surface directly applicable to small diameter and inclining surfaces.

In that form of the invention shown in FIG. 3, a tubular body member 29 is constructed similarly to body in that it provides an internal bore 31, is of split construction to provide flexible fingers 32 and is externally formed with a truncated bulbous spherical portion 33. The inner end of the tubular member is closed by a transverse wall 34 in which is a through bore 35. A pin mount 36 has a sleeve portion 37 adapted to have a press fit in bore 35. The sleeve 37 forms one end of the mounting part 36 and has a small diameter bore therein opening through one end of the sleeve into body bore 31. The opposite end of sleeve 37 terminates in an externally threaded head 38 adapted to interfit with and be connected to a rod in the manner that head is connected to rod 16. lntermediately disposed on part 36 is a radial flange 39. The mounting part 36 is stationarily installed in the wall 35 of body member 29, as by a press fit of sleeve 37 in bore 35, with flange 39 seating to the end of the body member. A pin 41 constructed substantially like the pin 22 is disposed longitudinally within the body member 29 and has a stud portion 42 thereof pressed into or otherwise secured within the longitudinal internal bore in sleeve 37. A washer 43 may be placed over stud portion 42 for more zsge7cure seating of the pin to the projecting end of sleeve The device of FIG. 3 differs in some structural detail from the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 but is similar in the relationship of its parts, in its manner of use and in its mode of co-action with the wiping cloth and with the walls of bores in which it is used. While comprised of more parts, it provides for a simplified body construction facilitating production of this component in a plastic molding or like operation.

The cleaning device thus provided has, of course, optimal utility in cleaning shotgun barrels which incorporate chokes or choking devices. in any event the bulbous curved form of the tips of the flexible fingers not only afford circumferentially continuous bearing surfaces insuring uniform strokes and cleaning but avoids incidence of jamming in a barrel. Further the form of .the finger tips dictate a long useful life in that they smoothly adapt to changes in configuration of the bore surfaces which they encounter.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A rod tip member for use in gun bore cleaning and the like, including a tubular body member of such longitudinally split construction as to be compressible at an outer end thereof, said outer end being externally relatively enlarged to form a head for wiping contact with a gun bore wall or the like, and a pin longitudinally disposed within said body member to react thereagainst, an outer end of said pin projecting through and beyond said outer end of said body and being constructed for a cooperative engagement with a cleaning patch.

2. A rod tip member according to claim 1, wherein the split construction of said body provides circumferentially spaced flexible fingers which at and adjacent their tips form said outer end of said body.

3. A rod tip member according to claim 2, wherein circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots have open ends at said outer end of the body and extend inwardly thereof toward closed or base ends intermediate the ends of the body and define thereby said spaced fingers.

4. A rod tip member according to claim 3, wherein said enlarged head has a bulbous continuously curved configuration, complementary segments of said head being formed on respective spaced fingers.

5. A rod tip member according to claim 4, wherein said body has a unitary one-piece construction and is made of material giving said spaced fingers a resilient character to provide for continuing resistance to compression of said outer end.

6. A rod tip member according to claim 3, characterized by means forming a stationary part of said body providing reactant means to seat an inner end of said pin. a

7. A rod tip member according to claim 6, wherein said reactant means is a transverse wall inwardly of the base ends of said slots constituting a unitary part of the body, the inner end of said pin having a relatively long bearing in said wall.

8. A rod tip member according to claim 6, wherein an inner end of said body is closed, characterized by socket means installed in said inner end of the body, an outer end of said socket means projecting from said body and forming a rod connection and an inner end of said socket means opening through said inner end of the body to the interior thereof, the said inner end of said pin seating in said socket means.

9. A rod tip member according to claim 6, wherein said pin extends coaxially of said body longitudinally thereof and in radially spaced relation to said flexible fingers to and beyond the tips of said fingers, the inner end of said pin having a fixed mounting in said reactant means.

10. A rod tip member according to claim 1, characterized by barb means on said pin adjacent its outer end facilitating interengagement thereof with a cleaning patch to inhibit its displacement on reciprocating strokes of said tip member.

11. A rod tip member for use in gun bore cleaning and the like, including a tubular body member having one end including means for connection thereof to a rod or other control element to form an extension thereof, the other end of said body member including a plurality of inwardly directed longitudinally extended slots forming on said body member a plurality of circumferentially spaced flexible fingers, the projected ends of said fingers being externally relatively enlarged to form a head for wiping contact with a gun bore wall reduced anchor portion for a cleaning cloth which is tented thereabout and over said head.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 characterized by said head having the effective configuration of a truncated sphere interrupted in. circumferentially spaced areas. 

1. A rod tip member for use in gun bore cleaning and the like, including a tubular body member of such longitudinally split construction as to be compressible at an outer end thereof, said outer end being externally relatively enlarged to form a head for wiping contact with a gun bore wall or the like, and a pin longitudinally disposed within said body member to react thereagainst, an outer end of said pin projecting through and beyond said outer end of said body and being constructed for a cooperative engagement with a cleaning patch.
 1. A rod tip member for use in gun bore cleaning and the like, including a tubular body member of such longitudinally split construction as to be compressible at an outer end thereof, said outer end being externally relatively enlarged to form a head for wiping contact with a gun bore wall or the like, and a pin longitudinally disposed within said body member to react thereagainst, an outer end of said pin projecting through and beyond said outer end of said body and being constructed for a cooperative engagement with a cleaning patch.
 2. A rod tip member according to claim 1, wherein the split construction of said body provides circumferentially spaced flexible fingers which at and adjacent their tips form said outer end of said body.
 3. A rod tip member according to claim 2, wherein circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots have open ends at said outer end of the body and extend inwardly thereof toward closed or base ends intermediate the ends of the body and define thereby said spaced fingers.
 4. A rod tip member according to claim 3, wherein said enlarged head has a bulbous continuously curved configuration, complementary segments of said head being formed on respective spaced fingers.
 5. A rod tip member according to claim 4, wherein said body has a unitary one-piece construction and is made of material giving said spaced fingers a resilient character to provide for continuing resistance to compression of said outer end.
 6. A rod tip member according to claim 3, characterized by means forming a stationary part of said body providing reactant means to seat an inner end of said pin.
 7. A rod tip member according to claim 6, wherein said reactant means is a transverse wall inwardly of the base ends of said slots constituting a unitary part of the body, the inner end of said pin having a relatively long bearing in said wall.
 8. A rod tip member according to claim 6, wherein an inner end of said body is closed, characterized by socket means installed in said inner end of the body, an outer end of said socket means projecting from said body and forming a rod connection and an inner end of said socket means opening through said inner end of the body to the interior thereof, the said inner end of said pin seating in said socket means.
 9. A rod tip member according to claim 6, wherein said pin extends coaxially of said body longitudinally thereof and in radially spaced relation to said flexible fingers to and beyond the tips of said fingers, the inner end of said pin having a fixed mounting in said reactant means.
 10. A rod tip member according to claim 1, characterized by barb means on said pin adJacent its outer end facilitating interengagement thereof with a cleaning patch to inhibit its displacement on reciprocating strokes of said tip member.
 11. A rod tip member for use in gun bore cleaning and the like, including a tubular body member having one end including means for connection thereof to a rod or other control element to form an extension thereof, the other end of said body member including a plurality of inwardly directed longitudinally extended slots forming on said body member a plurality of circumferentially spaced flexible fingers, the projected ends of said fingers being externally relatively enlarged to form a head for wiping contact with a gun bore wall or the like, said head being smoothly arcuate at least at its fore and aft extremities to give the same a bulbous and circumferentially balanced configuration, the configuration of said slots being defined by sides which are gradually divergent towards said head end and there being means in connection with said tubular member and projected in advance thereof to form an advance reduced anchor portion for a cleaning cloth which is tented thereabout and over said head. 